bigclivedotcom on Odysee

An unusual variant on the classic power saver boxes designed to scam non-technical people out of cash. This one looks like it was originally designed to be more convincing by having an outlet socket on the front.

On a plus note, the "digital display" is using relatively safe circuitry running its components at sensible power levels.

This item came from AliExpress (not a sponsor). If you want one then here's a link.
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c33BRnpd

And a link to a typical listing for the underfloor heating film:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3U0lIoB
The film seems to come with crimps for piercing through the copper tape.
Most seems to be for 220-240V but there must be versions for 120V too. The 240V stuff will still heat on 120V but to a lower temperature.



If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

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#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5meTtOV5W-I

Another foggy-blast of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore.

These videos are not sponsored by AliExpress. I buy all these items myself.

Here are some links to the items. These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay.
Keep in mind that these products may not meet your country's standards.
Some listings may not work for some countries and some may just be sold out or disappear.

When paying on AliExpress, let the transaction complete before leaving the purchase page as otherwise it may not go through.

The unusually dramatic car aroma device:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3srV6Z5

The clip-on spring loaded camera/light clamp:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4S1Yy2B

The much cheaper unbranded black Ulanzi-style aluminium phone holder:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3NxGgVN

The chunky red anodised aluminium phone holder:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3CHk7S7

The spring style ozone generator is not available - maybe that's why they sent the other one.

The ceramic plate ozone generator that glitched my bench equipment:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4e4nKLD

The very stylish tall and thin table light:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4VNeQJt

The spicy little ioniser designed for use in hair dryers:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3U31Ebv

I missed out one track from the ioniser schematic - the bottom of the primary and secondary are usually connected to give a reference to ground.

The tiny bare high voltage transformer:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4C71rOx

A PK-A22F style 110-220V ioniser. What you get may be a bit random:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c37KYLXd

The small but powerful rechargeable 365nm UVA flashlight:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3vbW415



If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvRznLhiRNM

These units are being falsely sold as air conditioners, with bold technical descriptions about "revolutionary" cooler coil and drainage-free condensation technology.

In reality they are a wall mounted heater with the option of blowing unheated air.

To see some of the variants of these units and their deceptive advertising, look for the keyword Epicooler.

No link to buy one, but there are plenty of cheap ones being sold on eBay by disgruntled buyers.

If you have one for use as a heater, then make sure you always turn it off with the power button so it goes through its proper cool-down time. As with most plastic heaters, don't leave the unit unattended while in use.

Make sure family members are aware of all these "too good to be true" scams. If they go to the scammers websites they will get hard-sell, and may get scammed into buying more than they wanted. There's also a risk their card details may be abused.
Most of the scam businesses are hosted in countries with poor financial regulation.




If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYMom2C-KY8

A look inside one of the cheapest smoke machines from AliExpress. Although these are commonly referred to as smoke machines, they actually create a dense fog of tiny glycol droplets.

The most common faults with these units are the pump gumming up in storage or the thin capillary tube in the heater block getting clogged by particulate residue from the fog fluid. Using good quality fog fluid will reduce the risk of that due to its composition being pure glycols and distilled water, but the cost difference may mean it's cheaper in the long run to use lower quality fluids and accept that you'll need to replace the machine more often.

The professional event industry routinely replaces heater blocks or machines as it's just the nature of the equipment.

Some users flush their machines through with water and vinegar to "descale" the heater tube, but I'm not sure how effective that actually is. If you do that, then it's important to flush it through with fog/smoke fluid afterwards before storage.

If experimenting with making your own fluid, I recommend using distilled water.
The cheapest and easiest fluid is just glycerin/glycerine/glycerol (they're all the same thing) with distilled water. You can vary the ratio to suit your needs, but typically 20% glycerin to 80% water for many machines. Glycerin creates a very dense long lasting fog, with the downside of being a bit messier than the lighter glycols like propylene glycol and triethylene glycol.

Most smoke machines operate at between 240 to 300 degrees Celcius. The risk of burning glycols tends to happen above 370 degrees Celcius.

Do NOT use oil in this type of machine. A common thing in the entertainment industry is people mixing up water and oil based haze liquids. Aside from the unpredictable results in the heater block, the oil can damage the seals in the pump by making them swell up and jam the piston.

The pumps can usually be opened for servicing, but they have lots of springs and seals in them that have a tendency to self-disassemble suddenly when opened. I have a video showing how to service them.

The construction and circuitry in these units is very standard and hasn't changed for decades. These basic units have one major quirk in that they won't pump fluid while the heater is active. This is to prevent the risk of liquid being pumped through the heater block while it's cold and spraying out as liquid.
If fog timing is critical then you can modify the unit to power the pump directly once the unit is up to temperature.

The use of an XLR connector on these units for the mains powered remote is a huge safety issue. There is a risk of shock, equipment damage (never plug a DMX network into that port!) and in some instances potential bypassing of the thermal control if a remote cable shorts to ground.

The principle of fog generation is fairly simple. A mixture of glycol and water is pumped slowly into a very hot heater block. As it enters, the water boils forcibly atomising the glycol into a fog of tiny droplets that are forced out by the steam pressure.
Some hazers combine air with the fog fluid to create bubbles of fluid that result in a more controlled drizzle of haze versus a jet of fog.

If you want a cheap smoke machine to play with, then here's a starter affiliate link to this unit, noting that this particular one was shipped from a UK warehouse.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3VkvtKD
For local voltage machines try a search for:-
500w rgb smoke machine
if you substitute 400W for 500W it may show a different range.
Be aware that cost variation is massive for the same machines, so shop around for the best price. This type should cost less than £20.

You can also find similar machines on eBay and amazon. But do NOT buy second hand machines as they are usually wrecked.




If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

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https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGN6u2uqmtY

This seems to be a very common USB tester these days. It has USB-C connectors on each side and can measure voltage and current in either direction, with a stated range of 4.5 to 50V and 12A. There is a small, but very readable display. I did some voltage and current tests and it seemed accurate.

I thought the display was OLED, but it may actually be LCD. It has a neat feature where it can be switched from a colour display to black and white. Possibly for better clarity - especially for those with different colour perception.

Most of the magic is done in software on an ARM Cortex microcontroller, but the current sensing is interesting because it can sense current flow in either direction.

Both the op-amp and buck converter chips were hard to find data for. I did an image search for their codes and found a picture from a Russian technical forum, where the post was also trying to identify the chips. This scenario happens a lot, since Russia has a lot of technical geeks.

The controls are refreshingly simple. With the buttons on the right of the display, the bottom button rotates the display with each click, or toggles between colour and monochrome with a long press. The top button cycles through the full display, chunky minimal display, current zeroing mode (long press to zero with no load connected), Display intensity and an option to temporarily turn the display off.

The meter logs the mAh that has been provided to a load. If not cleared between uses it will continue counting up. To reset it to zero, press and hold the top button.

If you want one of these, then here's a typical listing on AliExpress (not a sponsor). It's an affiliate link, but that shouldn't affect the price.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3hHoi1R

The price can vary, so shop about. The meter may also pop up in the bundle deal area if you add one to your main basket.



If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEKf2D0J0hc

Another crime-spree of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore.

These videos are not sponsored by AliExpress. I buy all these items myself.

Here are some links to the items. These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay.
Keep in mind that these products may not meet your country's standards.
Some listings may not work for some countries and some may just be sold out or disappear.

When paying on AliExpress, let the transaction complete before leaving the purchase page as otherwise it may not go through.

The very suspicious and probably illegal jammer:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3e75Ra3
Despite being described as an EMP device, this just transmits high power RF to interfere with circuitry. Modern casino machines may sound an alarm if this is used on them. Even machines from the early 80's have an antenna in the wiring loom that will reset the machine if interference is detected. (Sometimes using a 555!)
Be aware that powering this near other electronic equipment may cause damage.

The squirmy "stainless steel" tap. Fun to explore, but I wouldn't trust it:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3NgL3Yn

The digital panel voltmeter with interesting module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4TwH5Vh

The circuit breaker damaging impact driver bits:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4dEIiKn
When used by people used to smashing screws into wood these can potentially stress breakers, skew the contacts at an angle and cause fires.

The cute little water activated floating Diwali oil lamp:-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009818921186.html
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrating light over darkness, and good over evil.

The black rubber washers for some pipe fittings:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c41k7Xvp

The clear washers for some taps/faucets:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4M1bktl

Expanding screw inserts for wood:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3cD4lMr

Ceramic ozone plates with heatsinks:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3TV4jBH
Treat the heatsink as being at high voltage in use

The wall drilling dust catcher:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3EiOEG3

The traditional tap washer type tap insert:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3bilPRl

Half inch tap reviver or conversion kit:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4MCD0in

The UVC water sterilisation tube:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c31C9uXv

Fake MPPT solar battery charger:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3KWEjfd




If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUQWW5PbSig

This project was supposed to be so easy. But a decision to add over-discharge protection backfired when I discovered that when the little DW01 lithium cell protection modules are powered up, they sometimes go into standby mode and can only be "woken" by charge current going into the cell.

I hadn't broken the wire on the LED (until I pulled it!). The module had just gone into standby mode.

On a plus note, the candle now has a USB-C charge port inside it for recharging the lithium cell.

I like to show my failures so you don't feel so bad when your own project goes wrong.

AliExpress has loads of flickering LEDs in all colours, but I've not been able to find packs of the newer style subtle version yet.

Here are the scripts for making the candle parts. You can copy and paste them into OpenSCAD to get custom 3D printing files.


The base:-


//Candle base
//Base thickness
base=1.5;
//Base diameter
basedia=50;
//Insert height
height=7;
difference(){
union(){
//base plate
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h=base,d=basedia);
//insert
translate([0,0,base])
cylinder(h=height,d=23);
//reinforcing taper
translate([0,0,base])
cylinder(h=2,d1=25,d2=23);
}
//inner core
translate([0,0,1.5])
cylinder(h=10,d=21);
}
$fn=100;



The shaft sections:-


//stackable Candle shaft
//Height of main body
height=50;
difference(){
union(){
//Main body
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h=height,d=25);
//taper
translate([0,0,height])
cylinder(h=3,d1=25,d2=23);
//insert
translate([0,0,height+3])
cylinder(h=6,d=23);
}
//core
//Main body
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h=height,d=23);
//taper
translate([0,0,height])
cylinder(h=3,d1=23,d2=21);
//insert
translate([0,0,height+3])
cylinder(h=6,d=21);
}
$fn=100;



The flat top:-


//Flat candle cap
difference(){
union(){
//body
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h=6,d=25);
}
//core
translate([0,0,1])
cylinder(h=10,d=23);
//wick slot
translate([-1,-.5,-1])
cube([15,1,10]);
}
$fn=100;



The pointed top:-


//Pointed candle cap
difference(){
union(){
//body
translate([0,0,0])
cylinder(h=6,d=25);
//cone
translate([0,0,6])
cylinder(h=15,d1=25,d2=0);
}
//core
translate([0,0,-1])
cylinder(h=7,d=23);
translate([0,0,6])
cylinder(h=14,d1=23,d2=0);
//wick hole
translate([0,0,17])
cylinder(h=7,d=1.5);
//slot
translate([0,-.5,-1])
cube([15,1,22]);
}
$fn=100;




If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l--KgoTh50

A look at the remote controlled LED tapes often sold by Lidl under the Livarno brand.

These are notable for being 24V which keep the current down to avoid significant intensity drop along a long run of tape. The downside of that is that the LEDs are only controllable in sections of 5 or 6 LEDs depending on the tape.

The remote controls are very strange. They have a colour section and a white section that makes the controller behave like two separate units. Oddly, the remote controls are not interchangeable between the 5m and 10m versions.

The RGB and white tapes come with packets of mounting clips, and the older RGB version also has adapters to allow sections of tape to be linked or split.

No link to buy this, since it is sold by a European high street retailer. But here's a link to their website:-
https://www.lidl.co.uk/



If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2_0LIvQAfo

Another thermal-overload of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore.

These videos are not sponsored by AliExpress. I buy all these items myself.

Here are some links to the items. These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay.
Keep in mind that these products may not meet your country's standards.
Some listings may not work for some countries and some may just be sold out or disappear.

When paying on AliExpress, let the transaction complete before leaving the purchase page as otherwise it may not go through.

The neat M452 temperature and humidity controller
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4Vii0nV
There is a massive price variation on this. Aim for £5 to £10.
I've already made a video about this type of controller:-
https://youtu.be/3XBziYTor3M

Open frame chassis mounting thermostat:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3wIenu7

DIN rail mounting panel thermostat:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4BgvKI3

Posh ULKA solenoid pump:-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004528608247.html
This is a 220-240V type 1S with specific pipe adaptors - there are cheaper versions of the same brand, and even cheaper generic solenoid pumps. (sometimes called electromagnetic pumps)

The panel mounting digital temperature controller:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3J6EPGb

The intriguing panel mounting universal time delay module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3457ISx

Clicky-switch light up keychain fidget toy:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4kGRGR9

Pack of kettle thermal switches:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3j0w4B5

The pack of "Cy490nm" cyan/turquoise LEDs:-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003810952677.html

Solar auto-darkening welding helmet insert:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3XEzD2n
I bought this just to look at the circuitry. I'm not sure how good it would actually be for professional welders.




If you enjoy my videos, you can treat me to coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CH3E8DbApY

This module is a very good way to test a matched set of components designed for driving high voltage generators like this. The chip has an enable input that is being used to trigger this module, but it can also be used with a transistor to control the output voltage based on feedback. In that application a high value resistor pulls the enable pin high to enable the high voltage generation, and the transistor pulls it low to regulate the output.

A circuit like this could be used to power:-
Ignition systems,
Gas discharge tubes,
Electrostatic precipitators,
Flocking machines,
Ozone generators,
Ionisers,
and many other common high voltage devices.

Unlike the police type devices this may look and sound scary, but the output is not optimised for that use. It's closer to the loud Chinese firecracker emulators that seem to be popular as a scare device in Halloween events these days.

It's important to note that this module needs to be handled with care, as it is very easy to trigger it. The output capacitors can also hold a charge after use, so make sure you short the output before handling it. But don't worry, it will remind you if you don't.....

If you want one to play with or for evaluating the XKT-203 chip and its matching MOSFET and transformer, then here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3UecVsV
This link may not work in all countries. Alternatively try the following keywords:-
3.7V Ignition Coil Booster 20KV High Voltage




If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me coffee, cookies and gadgets by supporting the channel on Patreon. You also get early access to videos without adverts, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZweqkejkHC0